Committee flags roughly $160,000 in storm response and seeks clearer emergency authority

Walworth County Public Works staff reported an initial accounting of the county’s response to recent storms and urged the committee to consider clarifying emergency authority and funding.

Mitch, speaking as part of the construction and emergency response review, said the county’s commitments related to the recent event totaled about $160,000 when staff time, donated time and municipal work orders were combined. "As of Friday, the estimated bill for that is $160,000," he said, citing town work orders of about $95,000 and additional donated time and county labor tallied in the packet.

Committee members debated whether the county’s existing emergency ordinance (Section 18.3 of the county ordinances) and procedures gave sufficient flexibility for committing resources. One member said, "Rich Huff doesn't have the authority to commit a couple $100,000 of labor to someone else's jurisdiction," and the group discussed whether ordinance amendments or clearer intergovernmental agreements are needed.

Mark and other committee members said any ordinance change would likely touch several committees — executive, public safety and finance — and recommended working with corporation counsel to identify permissible authority and limits. Committee members also discussed expanding the definition or funding level of the county emergency fund so finance committee staff could free up targeted funds for urgent response without full board delay.

The committee asked staff to include this topic in fall/winter budget discussions and to coordinate with corporation counsel and relevant committees on proposed changes or clarifications.

Next steps: staff will work with corporation counsel and finance on options for clarifying authority and emergency fund parameters, then return to the committee during budget season with proposed language or a recommended process.